Kilauea Volcano Episode 50

Episode 50 - Or Should We say Hawaiʻi 5-0?

Never in my life did I think I would witness the 50th episode of the high fountaining of Kilauea. But sometimes all the stars align, and magic happens. I had clients booked on one of my tours for 3 pm, but when the first vigorous overflows started early in the morning, I headed to the park and set up in my typical spot near the Military Camp along Crater Rim Trail. The dancing dome fountains were absolutely beautiful, and when activity picked up around 10 am, I knew episode 50 would start any minute.

The fountain began to grow, and the eruption was on.

It ultimately grew into a 1,000-ft fountain, and even though the views were often obscured by passing showers and mist, it was a wonderful experience. I havenʻt been in the park during the last few episodes. Life sometimes gets in the way, and I cannot always be here, even though I wish I could.

All my clients were thrilled to see the eruption and the dancing fountain, and we witnessed the dramatic end of episode 50 during the tour.

What an amazing day it was!! I saw so many of my friends and fellow lava photographers out there, and had a very special time with a German camera team creating a documentary. Their timing couldnʻt be better. My other two clients from Ohio had the best time ever, since it was a birthday trip, and they even managed to stay the night at Volcano House!

Mahalo Tūtū Pele for this wonderful day. Despite some challenges, it was a fully successful day, and I am still processing everything. And being able to see the entire eruption from beginning to end was priceless.

Yvonne Baur

My view from the rim with a dome fountain in the north vent and an Amaʻu fern in the foreground

— at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

Lava activity increases

— at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

The entire view of Pele, with a growing lava fountain and a steam-and-gas cloud consisting of water vapor, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide.

— at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

A misty view of the fountain

North Vent fountain

The view of the fountain near Kilauea Overlook

— at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

Uēkahuna offered a great, up-close view of the fountain.

a low rainbow on the rim

One of my favorite trees near Uēkahuna: I wonder what great stories this tree has to tell and how many eruptions it has seen

The last gasp of jetting lava before the eruption was pau

— at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.